Poor sleep quality refers to sleep that is insufficient or disrupted, preventing one from feeling well-rested. Key characteristics include: Difficulty falling asleep: Taking over 30 minutes to fall asleep most nights Frequent awakenings: Waking up 3 times per night Non-restorative sleep: Not feeling refreshed despite seemingly adequate sleep duration Daytime fatigue: Feeling sleepy, sluggish, or irritable during the day Inability to focus: Trouble concentrating or remembering things Depressed mood: Feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless Causes of poor sleep range from lifestyle factors like inconsistent bedtimes, excessive blue light exposure before bedtime, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, stress, and noise disruption. Certain medical issues like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, chronic pain, hormone imbalances, mental health conditions, and side effects of medications can also interfere with sleep quality. Effects of poor sleep are extensive, negatively impacting nearly every bodily system and taking years off one's life over the long-term. People with poor sleep face increased risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and dementia. Car accidents, injuries, and loss of productivity at work or school also become more likely. Fortunately, poor sleep is often correctable through lifestyle, behavioral, and environmental changes like: